Everything you need to know about taurine

Taurine is found in many food products. This amino acid is useful for health and athletic performance. Nutrimuscle explains in detail everything you need to know about taurine: its role, its benefits and its effects on the human body.

Contents :

What is taurine ?

Taurine is an amino acid derived from cysteine, another amino acid . It was first discovered in bull bile in 1827, hence its name. However, it is present in many other organisms, including fish, crustaceans and mammals.

Taurine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, which means that it does not contribute directly to the formation of proteins in the body. Instead, it has many other important roles, such as regulating calcium in muscle cells and protecting against oxidative stress.

It is also present in the human body, particularly in the muscles, the retina and the brain, where it plays an important role in the maturation of the nervous system. It also acts on the digestive system and the absorption of lipids.

The benefits of taurine for the human body

Calcium regulation

Taurine is known to have many benefits for the human body. It is important for the regulation of calcium levels in muscle cells, which helps improve physical performance.

Cardiovascular health preservation

This amino acid is also beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Its action on the body reduces the risk of heart failure.

Regulation of thyroid metabolism

In addition, taurine is known to play an important role in regulating thyroid metabolism, ideal for people with disorders originating from this area of ​​the body. It is also present in infant milks, where it can help the maturation of the nervous system.

antioxidant

Taurine is also a powerful antioxidant, which means it can help protect cells against damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. These health benefits of taurine make it an important amino acid for the human body.

Effects of taurine on physical performance and health

Taurine has also been studied for its effects on physical performance and health.

Increased athletic performance

Research has shown that taurine improves muscle strength and endurance. Taking one gram of taurine increases endurance by 1.7%, and taking 1.6g raises fatty acid burning in adipose tissue by 16%.

Slimming effect

Overweight people took 3 g of taurine per day for 7 weeks. At the end of this term, a weight loss of approximately 1.3 kg was observed without having carried out a diet.

Fat tends to accumulate when taurine concentration is low in the body. Furthermore, excess fat causes a drop in the activity of the enzyme that produces taurine. To avoid this vicious circle, taurine supplementation is strongly recommended. When the body has enough taurine, it is difficult for fat to settle.

Better recovery

Taurine supplementation for 14 days helps reduce muscle soreness. It works in synergy with BCAAs against body aches, which makes it popular with athletes and bodybuilders. Taurine may also help reduce muscle fatigue during exercise.

Sleep improvement

Thanks to its anti-hypertensive action, taurine improves the quality of sleep. This amino acid acts on GABA receptors which inhibit nervous activity and relax the body. Similarly, taurine protects the brain from degenerative diseases and the effects of aging.

In addition, taurine reduces the level of norepinephrine and helps to evacuate stress. It can interact synergistically with glycine to optimize sleep quality.

However, some health effects of taurine are still uncertain and need more research, especially in the regular consumption of energy drinks. The European Commission has issued a warning concerning these products which, at too high a frequency, have harmful effects on cardiovascular health.

What you must remember

Taurine is an important amino acid for the human body, with many benefits for health and physical performance. It is present in several food sources, including dairy products, seafood and energy drinks. However, its use as a food supplement must be taken with precaution and according to the recommendations of a health professional, in particular for people with a fragile body.

In short, taurine is an amino acid whose importance is often underestimated, but which plays a crucial role in the human body. By understanding its benefits and food sources, it is quite possible to quickly observe changes in health and sports performance.